Copy No. 11
 
      OPTEL No. 39
 
      Information received up to 7 a.m., 17 December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      Home Waters - 16th. The PRINO EUGEN has left dry dock and is 
      reported alongside the coaling jetty at BREST.
 
      CHINA. - 15th. HONG KONG. One of H.M. destroyers shelled two 
      river boats in KOWLOON BAY and blew them up.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. Our attack on the enemy line between GAOALA and the TRIGH 
      EL ABD was continued, and progress was made in the area East 
      and South on GAOALA. The position here and in the South where 
      other Indian troops had attacked in the TRIGH EL ABD area, was 
      considered satisfactory. Enemy casualties were thought to have 
      been heavy. In the meantime an armoured force had worked round 
      the enemy's Southern flank and reached its objective at BIR HALEGH 
      EL ALEBA (nearly 40 miles West of GAOALA) where it engaged ten 
      enemy tanks and some guns. It is thought that prior to this action 
      the enemy was unaware of this new threat to his rear. During 
      the 13th and 14th, New Oealand troops captured nearly 1,100 prisoners, 
      and Polish troops 200. On 14th we destroyed six enemy tanks and 
      300 tons of ammunition.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA
. 16th December. KEDAH - Heavy fighting continues. 
      Our forces at present on line of River MUDA, to North-East of 
      PENANG, but our losses in men and equipment have been heavy, 
      and a further withdrawal is likely to be necessary. In KELANTAN, 
      there was some patrol activity, but elsewhere nothing to report. 
      Air reconnaissance showed a large concentration of enemy transports 
      off KOTA BHARU and PATANI.
 
      
 
 
HONG KONG
. 16th. Bombing and shelling on an increased 
      scale took place. Enemy's fire was accurate but apart from some 
      damage to ABERDEEN Dock, military damage or casualties do not 
      appear to have been severe. Public morale is generally high and 
      satisfaction at rejection of proposals for parley widely expressed. 
      One enemy aircraft was shot down into the sea off LAMMAS Island.
 
      
 
 
SARAWAK
. Enemy tro %ops have landed North of MIRI and 
      there are reports of landings at LUTONG (further to North). Ten 
      large Japanese warships, one tanker and one submarine have been 
      reported off this area.